Guardian designated a ‘Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality’

New York, NY, JANUARY 10, 2025 – The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian) has earned a score of 100 in the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index in recognition of its commitment to equity and inclusion. As a result, for the eighth consecutive year, Guardian has been designated a “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality.”

“At Guardian, our purpose to inspire well-being® is inclusive of all. We are committed to building a culture where everyone can grow, thrive, and support our business transformation to meet the needs of our customers,” said Guardian Chief Human Resources Officer Stacey Hoin.

HRC’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI) is a national benchmarking survey that evaluates corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. The CEI focuses on four key pillars: non-discrimination policies, equitable healthcare benefits, inclusive internal workplace culture, and corporate social responsibility. The 2025 CEI surveyed 1,449 companies that collectively employ more than 22 million workers nationwide.

“As an executive sponsor of Guardian’s Pride Alliance employee resource group, I am proud that we continue to be recognized for our efforts to advance equity and inclusion. Equity and inclusion are not just ideals we strive for – they are integral to who we are as a company,” said Ronnie Welch, Guardian Chief Audit Executive.

This recognition adds to the growing list of recent accolades that Guardian has received for being an employer of choice, including:

• 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 Forbes Best Large Employers

• 2024, 2023 Forbes Best Employers for Diversity

• 2024, 2023 Disability: In Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion

• 2025, 2023, 2021 Great Place to Work in India

• 2023 India’s Best Workplaces for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

Guardian’s track record of attracting top talent and fostering an environment where its colleagues bring their best to work is a leading contributor to its financial success and ability to deliver value and compassion to its customers. The company recently announced a record $1.6 billion dividend allocation to participating policyholders and remains one of the strongest and most highly rated insurance companies in the US.

About Guardian

Guardian makes a difference in the lives of people when they need us most. With over 160 years of stability and fiscal integrity, we are a trusted resource to generations of families and business owners, inspiring well-being and helping build financial confidence. Today, we stand behind millions of consumers, helping them prepare and plan for a bright future for themselves and their families. We help business owners care for their employees. And we help people recover and thrive in times of unexpected loss. As a modern mutual insurance company, we believe in driving value beyond dividends. We invest in our colleagues, are building an inclusive and innovative culture, and are helping to uplift communities through thoughtful corporate impact programs. Guardian, which is based in New York City, is a leading provider of life, disability, dental, and other benefits, and has received accolades for its culture and service. Our colleagues and financial professionals serve with care and experience, and our commitments rest on a strong financial foundation, which included a 2025 dividend allocation of $1.6 billion – the largest in the company's history. For more information, visit guardianlife.com or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

About the Human Rights Campaign

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Through its programs, the HRC Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people, shedding light on inequity and deepening the public’s understanding of LGBTQ+ issues. Its work has transformed the landscape for more than 15 million workers, 11 million students, 1 million clients in the adoption and foster care system and so much more. The HRC Foundation drives the advancement of inclusive policies and practices and, with the firm belief that we are stronger working together, it forges partnerships with advocates in the U.S. and around the globe to increase our impact and shape the future of our work.